Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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CFA TH 099: Matinee
Each semester that a BFA candidate is in residence at SOT, they are required to enroll in an appropriate section of Matinee. This is a non-credit course that encompasses a variety of components such as matinee productions, guest artist visits, alumni visits, master classes, make-up classes, and other special events. Completion of a Process Paper at the end of each semester is required. 0.0 credits. Fall & Spring semester. -
CFA TH 101: Introduction to the Study of Theatre and Performance
This course aims to acquaint students to theory and practice related to performance, dramatic literature, and theatre history and studies. On successful completion of this class, students will aesthetically and ethically explore artistic work relying on critical thinking and analytical acumen. Our study relies on analysis, civil discourse, reading dramatic literature and performance theory, as well as seeing, reading, and experiencing various works addressing identity theory and cultural studies. Required for BFA Theatre Core (Design, Production & Management Core and Performance Core). Open to BU Community. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Critical Thinking. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. -
CFA TH 110: Speech Communications
This course will apply theatre techniques to speaking in public in order to free the speaker's use of: relaxation, presence, focus, breath, articulation, projection, silence, stillness, and gesture. Students will learn how to connect with an audience, clearly communicate ideas, and tell a story with confidence. Preparation of readings in prose and poetry. Open to BU Community. 4.0 credits. -
CFA TH 111: Voice and Speech 1: Experiencing Voice
This course will explore sensing, freeing and developing the voice as a deep feature of the self and as a fundamental tool of the actor. This course provides a progression of exercises exploring vocal identity, how the voice works, self-observation, relaxation vs. tension, physical awareness, breath, sound, freeing the channel, releasing the voice from the body, self-expression, interpersonal communication, and autobiographical storytelling. Required for BFA Performance Core. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Oral and.or Signed Communication. -
CFA TH 120: Acting & Performance 1
Acting is behaving believably in imaginary circumstances. This course will explore techniques to hone the imagination through improvisations, play, and imagination. Students will learn to clarify dramatic action, understand given circumstances, and notice sensory perceptions through physical, vocal, and emotional exercises. Students will work with monologues and scenes to develop believable actions in performance. The core to learning acting is generosity, simplicity, specificity, and focus. Specific approach may vary by instructor, consult course syllabus for most detailed breakdown of class mission. Open to BU Community. 4.0 credits. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 121: Acting 1: Personal Approach to Acting
Explores individuality through relaxation, imagination, and improvisation. Builds pathways to physical and emotional awareness, and clarity of thought. Develops an awareness of inner impulses and how to make them the basis for spontaneous interaction with others. Reading and journal of will lead to the culmination of end-of-semester projects under faculty supervision. Required for BFA Performance Core. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Creativity/Innovation. -
CFA TH 130: Movement for Theater 1
Physical conditioning, improvisations, some dance techniques and styles, concepts of effort/shape, interrelation of body and voice. Open to BU Community. 4.0 credits. Fall only. -
CFA TH 131: Movement 1: Expressive Human Instrument
An experiential and explorative practicum that will allow each practitioner to engage with the authentic and artistic potential of their physical body-- beginning on a journey to embrace how movement can be embodied as an expressive channel for their "inner landscape"--their thoughts, feelings, images, sensations, dreams and expressive colors. The course will curiously embrace locating expressive entry points via introduction and understanding of foundational movement language, preparation mindset via structured warming- up development and beginning to transport and physically radiate imaginative and authentic thoughts. The inspiration for the course is focused on what it means to begin to embody a J.O.Y--Journey of Youth--mindset. Required for BFA Performance Core. 2.0 credits. Fall Semester. -
CFA TH 139: 20th Century Dance History
An introduction to the people, events and masterworks that shaped the development of dance in the twentieth century. Course includes lectures, viewing videos and films, select readings and discussions. Course does not presuppose a technical knowledge of dance. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. -
CFA TH 140: Collaborative Theatre Ensemble
This course aims to explore theatrical storytelling. Students will work as a collaborative ensemble as actors, designers, directors, and musicians to create original short works of theater. Specific approach may vary by instructor, consult course syllabus for most detailed breakdown of class mission. 4.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 149: Stagecraft for Theatre Minors
Open to Theatre Minors ONLY. Meets late afternoons, evenings, and/or weekends. Specific production assignments as Run Crew, Wardrobe, Front of House, Board Operator, or other duties as necessary in the mounting of student or professional productions. 1.0 credit. Fall & Spring semesters. -
CFA TH 167: Drawing & Painting Studio 1
An introduction to artistic creation using various media and transfer techniques. Work in the fall includes working with color theory, painting and drawing. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 168: Drawing & Painting Studio 2
An introduction to artistic creation using various media and transfer techniques. Work in the spring focuses on developing a visual vocabulary to execute observed and mechanical perspective drawing. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 171: Language & Craft of Theatre 1
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the foundational vocabulary and skills essential to the craft of theatre making to gain an overview of the people and the physical techniques involved in each major area of theatrical production: scenery, lighting, costumes, sound, properties, scene painting and management. The students will also have a hands-on lab experience in technical theatre and have the opportunity to intersect with multiple facets of the School of Theatre community. The Laboratory experience will include evenings and weekends depending on assignment(s). Required for BFA Theatre Core (Design, Production & Management Core and Performance Core). 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 177: Figure Drawing
Studio work in figure drawing. Emphasis on drawing techniques and media through observation. May be repeated for credit. 1.0 credits. -
CFA TH 198: Production
Practicum for focusing shop experiences in scenery, costume, lighting, sound and stage management procedures, and safety. Run Crew, Wardrobe, Front of House, Board Operator, or other duties as necessary in the mounting of student or professional productions. Evenings and weekends depending on assignment. Required for BFA Design & Production Core. 2.0 credits. Spring semester. -
CFA TH 201: Dramatic Literature 2: 1850 to 1950
A survey of important plays and trends of the theatre from 1850 to 1950, with an emphasis on American and European dramatists. Students should expect frequent writing assignments. 3.0 credits. Fall semester. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy. -
CFA TH 202: Dramatic Literature 3: 1950 to 1990
A survey of important plays and trends from 1950-1990, with an emphasis on the play's significance within the given culture. We will examine North American, British, European, and African writers, with a balance between recognized canonical works, and plays by writers historically excluded from the canon due to gender, ethnicity, or aesthetic orientation. Students should expect frequent writing assignments. 3.0 credits. Spring semester only. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking. -
CFA TH 211: Voice & Speech 2: Introduction to IPA
Prereq: CFA TH 112. Further development of the actor's voice in range and power, flexibility and greater facility in articulation. Introduction of International Phonetic Alphabet, responsiveness to poetic text. 2.0 credits. Fall semester. -
CFA TH 212: Voice & Speech 2: Dialects
Prereq: CFA TH 211 or consent of instructor; Sound and movement linked to text. Introduction to speaking Shakespeare. Dialects and characterization as they relate to voice and speech. 2.0 credits. Spring semester.
